Looks like the Congress is busy in the lame duck setting up for the next session, since nothing major changed in the elections. The outgoing Republican Study Committee has made an important statement on copyright, one that agrees greatly with my own views on it at least. Naturally for that reason I like it. They recognize that copyright is good, important, and Constitutional, but must also be tuned not to maximize copyright. Copyright can go too far, when it goes beyond the Constitutional mandate of encouraging works.

Of course, copyright can go not far enough, as well, such as in the Internet Radio Fairness Act (IRFA), now opposed by Marsha Blackburn and CAGW. Pandora and other Internet streamers want to get a special provision of law giving them government-mandates lower rates they must pay copyright holders. It’s absurd and should not pass, at all.

Regular readers may remember in the past I’ve been cautious about IRFA, not taking a clear stand. It’s because I wasn’t sure if there weren’t existing regulations that this was simplifying. It’s not the case. This is just people wanting cheaper stuff because it’s the Internets. No sale.

We’ll close with reports that Anonymous has declared war on Israel. Ooooooh boy. Um. Guys? You say “We do not forget.” They say “Never again.” Time to learn not to sit with your back to a door, kiddies.